History making. 2022 has proved to be a notable year for the Blackstone River Watershed. The 50th anniversary of ZAP was celebrated at Slater Mill by all watershed advocacy leaders in concert with the Blackstone River Valley community. Today the 2021 Needs Assessment Report is the blueprint for the future progress.
Needs Assessment & Fishable Swimmable
2021
Blackstone River Watershed: Needs Assessment Report (Final Report, September 2021)
The Narragansett Bay Estuary Program published the Blackstone River Watershed Needs Assessment report. The Blackstone Watershed Collaborative was established in 2021 for the purpose of implementing the outlined goals specified within.
2008
Blackstone River: Clean by 2015
The Blackstone River Coalition and the campaign for a “Fishable/Swimmable Blackstone River by 2015”
Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park
Park boundaries established in 2021
Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park (map of each district)
In 2021, The National Park Service acquired the Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark District. The Old Slater Mill Association (OSMA) began its mission 100 years ago in 1921. Today the centerpiece of the Park. And in 1971, there was an historic meeting at Old Slater Mill with discussion with the OSMA executive director and a comprehensive plan put forth by the executive director of the Blackstone River Watershed Association to cleanup the Blackstone River and its wetlands from Worcester to Providence.
Cultural Landscape Report: Slater Mill Historic Site BRVNHP
Foundation Document (2020)
Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park- Foundation Document Congressional legislation was passed and signed by President Obama in December 2014. Foundation document for the new Park was finalized in February 2020.
NPS: John H Chafee BRV National Heritage Corridor
2017
BHC: “Surging toward 2026: A Strategic Plan”
The Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Inc (BHC) transitioned from being a federal commission to a local coordinating organization.
This strategic plan was written to chart the path forward for the Corridor.
The transition began in 2012 in anticipation of the Corridor’s commission to sunset. Champagne toast celebration properly ensued in 2014 when Congress passed the legislation to establish the Park.
Floodplain Management
2016
1981
USACE: Blackstone River Watershed (Main Report); Appendicies.
Misc Water Quality Reports
2022
2021
2010
MassDEP: Blackstone River Watershed 2003-2007 Water Quality Assessment Report - APPENDIX H - Water Management Act NPDES Permitting Information (other PDFs in this series)
2001
EPA: “Blackstone River Initiative”
1991
1991
Massachusetts Water Resources Commission: Inventory and Analysis of Current and Projected Water Uses
1977
Massachusetts Water Resources Commission: Annual Report. Division of Water Resources - Division of Water Pollution Control
Other pub links
2020 Cumberland
2020 Cumberland
Superfund OU2 Conservation and Management Plan
2017 Pawtucket
2016
1993-2018
NBEP: Blackstone River Watershed planning documents (list of various pubs 1993-2018)
Blackstone River Watershed
David M Rosser family research is compiling archives of the 1970s history of the Blackstone River Watershed